Refuse vehicle body assembly

ABSTRACT

A vehicle includes a chassis, a cab coupled to the chassis, a body coupled to the chassis rearward of the cab, a bracket, and a valve assembly. The body defines a compartment. The body includes a bottom wall defining a horizontal plane and a front wall defining a vertical plane. The bracket has an arm that is coupled to and extends rearward from the front wall into the compartment at an angle such that the arm is neither parallel with the horizontal plane nor parallel with the vertical plane. The valve assembly is coupled to the bracket such that at least a portion of the valve assembly is disposed within the compartment.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/417,521, filed May 20, 2019, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/674,894, filed May 22, 2018, whichis incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Refuse vehicles collect a wide variety of waste, trash, and othermaterial from residences and businesses. Operators of the refusevehicles transport the material from various waste receptacles within amunicipality to a storage or processing facility (e.g., a landfill, anincineration facility, a recycling facility, etc.).

Refuse vehicles typically include hydraulic actuators that drive variousfunctions of the refuse vehicle, such as lifting refuse containers,packing refuse within a body assembly, ejecting refuse from a bodyassembly, and opening various doors and hatches. The extension andretraction of the hydraulic actuators, among other functions, iscontrolled by valves. Conventionally, these valves are placed near thefront end of the body near the exhaust system of the refuse vehicle.These hydraulic valves and hydraulic lines coupled thereto have thepotential to leak, directing hydraulic oil onto the exhaust components.The heat from the exhaust components causes the hydraulic oil to react,which is undesirable.

SUMMARY

One embodiment relates to a vehicle. The vehicle includes a chassis, acab coupled to the chassis, a body coupled to the chassis rearward ofthe cab, a bracket, and a valve assembly. The body defines acompartment. The body includes a bottom wall defining a horizontal planeand a front wall defining a vertical plane. The bracket has an arm thatis coupled to and extends rearward from the front wall into thecompartment at an angle such that the arm is neither parallel with thehorizontal plane nor parallel with the vertical plane. The valveassembly is coupled to the bracket such that at least a portion of thevalve assembly is disposed within the compartment.

Another embodiment relates to a vehicle. The vehicle includes a chassis,a cab coupled to the chassis, a body coupled to the chassis rearward ofthe cab, a bracket, and a valve assembly. The body defines acompartment. The body includes a bottom wall and a front wall proximatethe cab. The bracket is directly coupled to the front wall and extendsrearward from the front wall into the compartment. The valve assembly iscoupled to the bracket such that at least a portion of the valveassembly is disposed within the compartment.

Still another embodiment relates to a body assembly for a vehicle. Thebody assembly includes a body, a bracket, and a valve assembly. The bodyis configured to couple to a chassis rearward of a cab of the vehicle.The body defines a compartment. The body includes a bottom wall defininga horizontal plane and a front wall defining a vertical plane. Thebracket has an arm that is coupled to and extends rearward from thefront wall into the compartment at an angle such that the arm is neitherparallel with the horizontal plane nor parallel with the vertical plane.The valve assembly is coupled to the bracket such that at least aportion of the valve assembly is disposed within the compartment.

This summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any waylimiting. Other aspects, inventive features, and advantages of thedevices or processes described herein will become apparent in thedetailed description set forth herein, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to likeelements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a front-loading refuse vehicle,according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a body assembly, a lift assembly, and atailgate of the front-loading refuse vehicle of FIG. 1 in two differentconfigurations, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIGS. 3-5 are perspective views of the body assembly of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a side section view of the body assembly of FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is a perspective section view of the body assembly of FIG. 2.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a mounting bracket of the body assemblyof FIG. 2 and a valve assembly of the front-loading refuse vehicle ofFIG. 1, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIGS. 9-14 are front and perspective views of the body assembly of FIG.2.

FIG. 15 is a side section view of the body assembly of FIG. 2 showing anorientation of the valve assembly of FIG. 8.

FIG. 16 is a side section view of the body assembly of FIG. 2.

FIG. 17 is a front view of the body assembly of FIG. 2.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the body assembly of FIG. 2.

FIGS. 19-23 are side section views of the body assembly of FIG. 2.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the body assembly of FIG. 2.

FIGS. 25 and 26 are rear perspective section views of the body assemblyof FIG. 2.

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of control components of the front-loadingrefuse vehicle of FIG. 1, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 28 is a side section view of a body assembly of the front-loadingrefuse vehicle of FIG. 1, according to another embodiment.

FIG. 29 is a side section view of a body assembly of the front-loadingrefuse vehicle of FIG. 1, according to yet another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before turning to the figures, which illustrate certain exemplaryembodiments in detail, it should be understood that the presentdisclosure is not limited to the details or methodology set forth in thedescription or illustrated in the figures. It should also be understoodthat the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description onlyand should not be regarded as limiting.

According to an exemplary embodiment, a refuse vehicle (e.g., afront-loading refuse vehicle, a side-loading refuse vehicle, arear-loading refuse vehicle, etc.) includes a chassis supported by aplurality of tractive elements, a cab coupled to the chassis, an enginepositioned below the cab and configured to drive the tractive elements,and a body assembly positioned rearward of the cab that defines a refusecompartment that stores refuse for transport. A lift assembly ispivotally coupled to the body assembly and configured to engage, lift,and dump a refuse container such that refuse from the refuse containeris stored in the refuse compartment of the body assembly. An ejectormoves longitudinally through the refuse compartment to compact and/oreject the refuse out of the rear end of the body assembly. A tailgate ispivotally coupled to the body assembly such that the tailgateselectively prevents ejection of refuse. The lift assembly, the ejector,and the tailgate are all actuated through extension and retraction ofvarious hydraulic actuators (e.g., hydraulic cylinders, etc.).

A valve assembly is configured to control the flow of hydraulic fluid toand/or from one or more hydraulic components (e.g., the hydrauliccylinders, tailgate hydraulic actuators, top door hydraulic actuators,fork hydraulic actuators, etc.). The valve assembly is coupled to afront wall of the body assembly. The valve assembly may be coupled to asupport surface of a mounting bracket. The support surface and the valveassembly may be oriented between horizontal and vertical (e.g., suchthat a first end of the valve assembly may be positioned longitudinallyforward of and vertically above a second end of the valve assembly,etc.). The mounting bracket may be arranged such that both the mountingbracket and the valve assembly extend within the refuse compartment.When the ejector is in a fully retracted position, the valve assemblyand the mounting bracket may be positioned directly below the ejectorand extend into a cavity defined thereby. This position of the valveassembly may be further rearward than that of a conventional refusevehicle. The rearward positioning of the valve assembly may befacilitated by an angled orientation of the valve assembly, whichprevents interference between the ejector and the valve assembly.

An exhaust system coupled to the engine may be positioned along the rearside of the cab adjacent the valve assembly. Valve assemblies and tubesfluidly coupled thereto are prone to leaking hydraulic fluid in certaincircumstances. The placement of the valve assembly in a conventionalrefuse vehicle allows the leaked hydraulic fluid to spray directly ontothe exhaust system, which can cause the hydraulic fluid to heat up andreact. Advantageously, the rearward positioning of the valve assemblypresented herein facilitates placing a cover between the valve assemblyand the exhaust system. The cover may thereby prevent hydraulic oil fromspraying onto the exhaust system. Additionally, the rearward positioningof the valve assembly may facilitate positioning the tubes such that thetubes extend from the valve assembly and into/within the refusecompartment, such that the front wall of the body assembly prevents aleak of hydraulic fluid along the length of a tube from sprayingdirectly onto the exhaust system. Such an arrangement may facilitateeasier routing of the tubes.

According to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a vehicle, shownas refuse vehicle 10 (e.g., a refuse truck, a garbage truck, a wastecollection truck, a sanitation truck, a recycling truck, etc.), isconfigured as a front-loading refuse vehicle. In other embodiments, therefuse vehicle 10 is configured as a side-loading refuse vehicle. Instill other embodiments, the refuse vehicle 10 is configured as arear-loading refuse vehicle. As shown in FIG. 1, the refuse vehicle 10includes a chassis, shown as frame 12; a body assembly, shown as body14, coupled to the frame 12 (e.g., at a rear end thereof, etc.); and afront cabin, shown as cab 16, coupled to the frame 12 (e.g., at a frontend thereof, etc.) forward of the body 14. The cab 16 may includevarious components to facilitate operation of the refuse vehicle 10 byan operator (e.g., a seat, a steering wheel, hydraulic controls, a userinterface, switches, buttons, dials, etc.). As shown in FIG. 1, therefuse vehicle 10 includes a prime mover, shown as engine 18, coupled tothe frame 12 at a position beneath the cab 16. The engine 18 isconfigured to provide power to a plurality of tractive elements, shownas wheels 20, and/or to other systems of the refuse vehicle 10 (e.g., apneumatic system, a hydraulic system, etc.). The engine 18 may beconfigured to utilize one or more of a variety of fuels (e.g., gasoline,diesel, bio-diesel, ethanol, natural gas, propane, etc.), according tovarious exemplary embodiments. According to an alternative embodiment,the engine 18 additionally or alternatively includes one or moreelectric motors coupled to the frame 12 (e.g., a hybrid refuse vehicle,an electric refuse vehicle, etc.). The electric motors may consumeelectrical power from an on-board storage device (e.g., batteries,ultra-capacitors, etc.), from an on-board generator (e.g., an internalcombustion engine, etc.), and/or from an external power source (e.g.,overhead power lines, etc.) and provide power to the systems of therefuse vehicle 10.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the refuse vehicle 10 isconfigured to transport refuse from various waste receptacles or refusecontainers within a municipality to a storage and/or processing facility(e.g., a landfill, an incineration facility, a recycling facility,etc.). As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the refuse vehicle 10 includes a firstlift mechanism/system (e.g., a front-loading lift assembly, aside-loading lift assembly, a rear-loading assembly, etc.), shown aslift assembly 40. FIG. 2 shows the lift assembly 40 in both a raisedposition (e.g., a dumping position, a transport position, etc.) and alowered position (e.g., an acquisition position, anengagement/disengagement position, etc.). The lift assembly 40 includesa pair of arms, shown as lift arms 42, coupled to the body 14 on eachside of the refuse vehicle 10 such that the lift arms 42 extend forwardof the cab 16 in the lowered position (e.g., a front-loading refusevehicle, etc.). The lift arms 42 are rotatably coupled to body 14 with apivot 44 (e.g., a lug, a shaft, etc.). As shown in FIG. 1, the liftassembly 40 includes first actuators, shown as lift arm actuators 46(e.g., hydraulic cylinders, etc.), coupled to the frame 12 and the liftarms 42. The lift arm actuators 46 are positioned such that extensionand retraction thereof rotates the lift arms 42 about an axis extendingthrough the pivot 44 (e.g., parallel to the lateral axis 92), accordingto an exemplary embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a fork assembly 60 is coupled to the liftarms 42 of the lift assembly 40. The fork assembly 60 includes a pair offorks, shown as forks 62, with one pivotally coupled to each of the liftarms 42. In some embodiments, the forks 62 are coupled to one anotherthrough an intermediate plate (e.g., both forks 62 are coupled (e.g.,attached, fastened, welded, etc.) to a plate. The forks 62 may have agenerally rectangular cross-sectional shape and are configured to engagea refuse container (e.g., protrude through fork pockets of a commercialrefuse container, a carry can, etc.). During operation of the refusevehicle 10, the forks 62 are positioned to engage the refuse container(e.g., the refuse vehicle 10 is driven into position such that the forks62 protrude through fork pockets within the refuse container, etc.).

As shown in FIG. 1, the lift arms 42 are rotated by the lift armactuators 46 to lift the forks 62 and the refuse container over the cab16. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the lift assembly 40 includes secondactuators, shown as articulation actuators 64 (e.g., hydrauliccylinders, etc.). According to an exemplary embodiment, the articulationactuators 64 are positioned to articulate the forks 62 relative to thelift arms 42. Such articulation may assist in tipping refuse out of therefuse container (e.g., coupled to the lift assembly 40 by the forkassembly 60, etc.). The lift arm actuators 46 may thereafter rotate thelift arms 42 to return the refuse container to the ground.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a coordinate system is defined with respectto the body 14. Specifically, a longitudinal axis 90 extends within ahorizontal plane along the direction of travel of the refuse vehicle 10.A lateral axis 92 extends within the horizontal plane and perpendicularto the longitudinal axis 90. A vertical axis 94 extends perpendicular toboth the longitudinal axis 90 and the lateral axis 92.

As shown in FIGS. 2-5, the body 14 includes a head frame, shown as frontwall 100, a pair of side walls 102, a top wall 104, and a bottom wall106, each including a series of panels supported by a series of framemembers. The front wall 100 is positioned at a front end 108 of the body14, and the side walls 102, the top wall 104, and the bottom wall 106all extend rearward from the front wall 100 toward a rear end 110 of thebody 14. The front end 108 and the rear end 110 are defined with respectto a forward direction of travel of the refuse vehicle 10. In someembodiments, at least a portion of the body 14 extends above and/or infront of the cab 16. According to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2,the body 14 is positioned behind the cab 16. A tailgate 112 is pivotallycoupled to the side walls 102 at the rear end 110 of the body 14. A pairof third actuators, shown as tailgate actuators 114, rotate the tailgate112 between a closed position (e.g., a lowered position, a sealedposition, etc.) and an open position (e.g., a raised position, etc.),both of which are shown in FIG. 2.

Together, the front wall 100, the side walls 102, the top wall 104, thebottom wall 106, and the tailgate 112 define a collection chamber (e.g.,hopper, etc.) or volume, shown as refuse compartment 120. The front wall100 extends substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 90. Theside walls 102 extend substantially perpendicular to the lateral axis92. The top wall 104 and the bottom wall 106 extend substantiallyperpendicular to the vertical axis 94. The refuse compartment 120includes a first section, shown as hopper volume 122, and a secondsection, shown as storage volume 124. The hopper volume 122 ispositioned between the storage volume 124 and the cab 16 (i.e., refuseis loaded into a position of the refuse compartment 120 behind the cab16 and stored in a position further toward the rear of the refusecompartment 120). An aperture, shown as hopper opening 126, ispositioned above the hopper volume 122. The hopper opening 126facilitates placement of refuse into the hopper volume 122. The refusevehicle 10 may include a door or hatch that selectively extends acrossthe hopper opening 126 to seal the hopper opening 126, therebypreventing refuse from escaping the refuse compartment 120 (e.g., due towind, bumps in the road, etc.).

Referring to FIGS. 2, 6, and 7, the refuse vehicle 10 further includes awall or packer, shown as ejector 130, positioned within the refusecompartment 120. The ejector 130 is slidably coupled to one or more of aside wall 102, the top wall 104, and the bottom wall 106 such that theejector 130 is movable longitudinally throughout the refuse compartment120. A pair of fourth actuators, shown as ejector actuators 132, arecoupled to the front wall 100 and the ejector 130. The ejector actuators132 extend and retract to move the ejector 130 longitudinally throughoutthe refuse compartment 120 between a retracted position and an extendedposition. In the retracted position, shown in FIG. 6, the ejector 130 ispositioned near or proximate the front wall 100. In the extendedposition, the ejector 130 is moved longitudinally away from the frontwall 100 toward the rear end 110.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the ejector 130 includes a frame 134 and aseries of panels 136 coupled to the frame 134. Each of the panels 136defines a refuse engagement surface configured to engage refuse withinthe refuse compartment 120 when the ejector 130 moves toward theextended position. Each of the panels 136 is angled relative to oneanother about the lateral axis 92. The ejector 130 is sized such thatthe refuse engagement surfaces collectively extend substantially acrossthe entirety of the hopper volume 122 in the vertical and lateraldirections. The frame 134 and the panels 136 define a chamber, shown asejector cavity 138, therebetween that is positioned below, behind, andwithin the ejector 130. In alternative embodiments, two or more of thepanels 136 are formed from a single sheet of material that is bent tofacilitate relative orientation of the refuse engagement surfaces. Inyet other embodiments, the refuse vehicle 10 includes a different typeof ejector (e.g., a two-piece ejector including multiple sections thatcan be moved independent of one another, etc.).

During operation of the refuse vehicle 10, loose refuse may be placedinto the refuse compartment 120 where it may thereafter be compacted.The refuse compartment 120 may provide temporary storage for refuseduring transport to a waste disposal site and/or a recycling facility.Refuse may initially be located in a refuse container placed by acustomer. An operator may drive the refuse vehicle 10 to a locationwhere the refuse container is located (e.g., a residence, a storefront,a factory, etc.). The operator may then bring the lift assembly 40 intothe lowered position and steer the refuse vehicle 10 such that the forks62 engage the refuse container. The operator may then bring the liftassembly into the raised position. In the raised position, refuse fromthe refuse container falls into the hopper volume 122 through the hopperopening 126. The operator may control the articulation actuators 64 toshake the refuse container and release any stuck refuse. The operatormay then bring the lift assembly 40 into the lowered position andrelease the refuse container in preparation for engaging another refusecontainer. Once a sufficient amount of refuse has been loaded into thehopper volume 122, the operator may move the ejector 130 into a packingposition between the retracted and extended positions. By moving intothe packing position, the ejector 130 forces the refuse contained in thehopper volume 122 into the storage volume 124. If a sufficient amount ofrefuse is present in the storage volume 124, the ejector 130 maycompress or compact the refuse. When the operator desires to empty therefuse from the refuse compartment 120, the operator may move thetailgate 112 to the open position, permitting refuse to exit the storagevolume 124. The operator may then move the ejector 130 to the extendedposition, forcing the refuse out of the refuse compartment 120.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 6, the lift arm actuators 46,the articulation actuators 64, the tailgate actuators 114, and theejector actuators 132 are hydraulic cylinders. Accordingly, theseactuators are linear actuators that extend and retract in response toreceiving high-pressure hydraulic fluid. By way of example, eachhydraulic cylinder may include an extension chamber and a retractionchamber, where the hydraulic cylinder extends when high-pressurehydraulic fluid is provided to the extension chamber and the hydrauliccylinder retracts when high-pressure hydraulic fluid is provided to theretraction chamber. As shown in FIG. 1, the refuse vehicle 10 includes apump, shown as hydraulic pump 140, that receives hydraulic fluid from alow-pressure source (e.g., a tank, etc.) and provides a supply ofhigh-pressure hydraulic fluid. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, thehydraulic pump 140 is coupled to the engine 18 such that the engine 18provides mechanical energy to the hydraulic pump 140.

Referring to FIGS. 6-10, the refuse vehicle 10 further includes a valveassembly, shown as valve block 150, that controls the flow of hydraulicfluid between the hydraulic pump 140 to the lift arm actuators 46, thearticulation actuators 64, the tailgate actuators 114, and the ejectoractuators 132. Accordingly, the valve block 150 controls the operationof the lift assembly 40, the tailgate 112, and the ejector 130. Thevalve block 150 includes a plurality of valves 152 coupled together.Each valve 152 controls the flow of hydraulic fluid to or from one ormore of the actuators. By way of example, a valve 152 may control theflow of hydraulic fluid to both of the lift arm actuators 46. By way ofanother example, the flow of hydraulic fluid to each of the lift armactuators 46 may be controlled by a separate valve 152. The valves 152may be any type of valve (e.g., ball valves, spool valves, etc.). Thevalves 152 may controlled directly by an operator, by an operatorthrough a controller, or autonomously by a controller. The valves 152may be mechanically actuated (e.g., through a lever), electricallyactuated (e.g., through a solenoid), actuated by a pilot (e.g., apneumatic or hydraulic pilot), or otherwise actuated. The valves 152 mayfacilitate variable control over the flow of hydraulic fluid (e.g., tovary the speed of each actuator, etc.), or the valves 152 may be solelyopened or closed. Each valve 152 is fluidly coupled (directly orindirectly) to one of the actuators and the hydraulic pump 140 throughone or more conduits or hoses, shown as tubes 154. A secondary valveassembly, shown as valve block 156, is also fluidly coupled to the valveblock 150. The valve block 156 may include one or more flow controlcomponents, such as check valves, flow control valves, pressure reliefvalves, etc.

In an alternative embodiment, the refuse vehicle 10 additionally oralternatively utilizes a pneumatic system that uses air or anothercompressed gas as the working fluid instead of hydraulic fluid. By wayof example, the hydraulic pump 140 may instead be a compressor thatpressurizes air from the surrounding atmosphere. The valve block 150 mayinstead include pneumatic valves configured to control the flow ofcompressed gas to the various actuators.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 11-13, the front wall 100 is shown according toan exemplary embodiment. The front wall 100 includes a pair of firstframe members, shown as vertical members 170, extending vertically. Theside walls 102 are directly coupled to the vertical members 170. Asecond frame member, shown as bottom member 172, extends laterallybetween and couples directly to the vertical members 170 at the bottomof the front wall 100. The bottom wall 106 couples directly to thebottom member 172. A third frame member, shown as top member 174,extends laterally between and couples directly to the vertical members170 at the top of the front wall 100. A first panel, shown as ejectorcoupling panel 176, extends between the vertical members 170 adjacentthe bottom member 172. The ejector coupling panel 176 defines a pair ofactuator interfaces 178 each configured to pivotally couple to one ofthe ejector actuators 132. A series of second panels, shown as panels180, extend between the vertical members 170 above the ejector couplingpanel 176. The ejector coupling panel 176 and the panels 180 define anopening or aperture, shown as access aperture 182, therebetween. Theaccess aperture 182 is positioned near the center of the front wall 100and extends adjacent the valve block 150.

Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, the body 14 includes a mounting bracket ormounting bracket assembly, shown as bracket 200, that couples the valveblock 150 to the front wall 100. The bracket 200 includes a firstmember, portion, or bracket, shown as plate 202, and a pair of secondmembers, portions, brackets, plates, or arms, shown as side walls 204.Each side wall 204 is coupled (e.g., fastened, welded, etc.) to a topedge of the ejector coupling panel 176. From the ejector coupling panel176, the side walls 204 each extend vertically upward and longitudinallyrearward of the access aperture 182 (e.g., into the ejector cavity 138,etc.). The side walls 204 both extend substantially perpendicular to thelateral axis 92. The side walls 204 are each coupled (e.g., fastened,welded, etc.) to an end of the plate 202.

Referring to FIGS. 13-20, the plate 202 defines a surface, shown assupport surface 206, to which the valve block 150 and the valve block156 are directly coupled. In some embodiments, the support surface 206is a flat surface. The support surface 206 extends along the lateralaxis 92. The support surface 206 is oriented between horizontal andvertical. As shown in FIG. 15, the support surface 206 is oriented at anangle θ relative to a horizontal plane. In the embodiment shown in FIG.15, the angle θ is approximately 45 degrees. In other embodiments, theangle θ is another angle between 0 and 90 degrees (e.g., 15, 30, 40, 50,60, 75, etc.), between 90 and 180 degrees, between 180 and 270 degrees,or between 270 and 360 degrees. In yet other embodiments, the angle θ isequal to 0, 90, 180, or 270 degrees and the support surface 206 ishorizontal or vertical. As shown in FIG. 15, the valve block 150 facesforward and downward. In other embodiments, the valve block 150 facesrearward and/or upward. The valve block 150 has two ends: a first end210 and a second end 212. The valve block 150 is oriented betweenvertical and horizontal. Accordingly, the first end 210 and the secondend 212 are offset from one another both vertically and longitudinally.Specifically, the first end 210 is offset vertically above andlongitudinally forward from the second end 212. As shown in FIGS. 15 and20, the plate 202, the side walls 204, and the second end 212 of thevalve block 150 extend longitudinally rearward of the front wall 100.The first end 210 of the valve block 150 does not extend rearward of thefront wall 100 (e.g., the vertical members 170 and the panel 180 extendboth longitudinally rearward of the first end 210). In some embodiments,the first end 210 extends rearward of the front wall 100.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 21-23, the orientation of the valve block 150and the plate 202 facilitates extending the bracket 200 and the valveblock 150 into the hopper volume 122 and the ejector cavity 138. InFIGS. 6 and 21-23, the ejector 130 is in the retracted position.Accordingly, the ejector 130 is as close to the front wall 100 as it canbe during normal operation. In this configuration, the bracket 200, thesecond end 212 of the valve block 150, and the valve block 156 allextend into the ejector cavity 138 and directly below the frame 134 ofthe ejector 130. The valve block 150 and the plate 202 are orientednearly parallel (e.g., 10 degrees off of parallel, 5 degrees off ofparallel, etc.) to the nearest portion of the frame 134. Accordingly,the second end 212 of the valve block 150 can extend longitudinally intothe ejector cavity 138 without the plate 202 or the first end 210 of thevalve block 150 interfering with the movement of the ejector 130.

Referring to FIGS. 19, 23, and 24, the body 14 further includes a firstsheet or cover, shown as front cover 220. The front cover 220 is coupledto the side walls 204. The front cover 220 extends across the accessaperture 182. The front cover 220 extends longitudinally forward of thevalve block 150 and the plate 202. The front cover 220 substantiallyobscures the valve block 150, the valve block 156, and the tubes 154from view of an observer positioned directly in front of the front wall100.

Referring to FIGS. 21, 25, and 26, the body 14 further includes a secondsheet or cover, shown as rear cover or back cover 230. The back cover230 is coupled to the side walls 204. The back cover 230 extends betweenthe plate 202, the side walls 204, and the front wall 100. The backcover 230 extends longitudinally rearward of the valve block 150. Theback cover 230 substantially obscures the valve block 150, the valveblock 156, and the tubes 154 from view of an observer positioned withinthe hopper volume 122. The front cover 220 and the back cover 230 areselectively removable (e.g., by removing fasteners, etc.) to facilitatemaintenance of the valve block 150, the valve block 156, and the tubes154.

Referring to FIGS. 4, 5, 25, and 26, the tubes 154 extend from the valveblock 150 along the body 14 to various points within the refuse vehicle10. A first group 240 of tubes 154 extends laterally through one of theside walls 204 and along an inner surface of one of the panels 180. Thefirst group 240 then extends out of the refuse compartment 120 throughone of the side walls 102. The first group 240 extends along an outersurface of the side wall 102 toward the rear end 110. A series ofsheets, covers, or ducts, shown as covers 242, cover or surround thefirst group 240 such that the first group 240 is substantially obscuredfrom view of an observer offset laterally from the body 14. The covers242 are coupled to the side wall 102. In some embodiments, the firstgroup 240 fluidly couples the valve block 150 to the tailgate actuators114. A second group 250 of tubes 154 extends vertically downward fromthe valve block 150. The second group 250 extends along an inner surfaceof the front wall 100 between the front wall 100, the plate 202, and theside walls 204. The second group 250 extends through a cover or duct,shown as cover 252, that is coupled to the front wall 100. The secondgroup 250 then extends out of the refuse compartment 120 through thebottom wall 106. In some embodiments, the second group 250 fluidlycouples the valve block 150 to the lift arm actuators 46 and thearticulation actuators 64. Both the first group 240 and the second group250 extend from the valve block 150 into the refuse compartment 120.

In some embodiments, other components are coupled to the exterior of thebody 14. Referring to FIG. 27, the refuse vehicle 10 includes controlcomponents 260 coupled to an exterior surface of one of the side walls102. The control components 260 may be electronic components, such assensors or controllers. Alternatively, the control components 260 may behydraulic or pneumatic components, such as valves. A sheet, cover, orduct, shown as cover 262, is coupled to the side wall 102 andsubstantially obscures the control components 260 from view of anobserver laterally offset from the body 14.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 6, and 19-22, the refuse vehicle 10 includes anexhaust system 270. In this embodiment, the engine 18 is an internalcombustion engine that converts stored energy in the form of fuel tomechanical energy that is used to drive the wheels 20 and the hydraulicpump 140. As a byproduct of this process, the engine 18 produceshigh-temperature exhaust gasses. The exhaust system 270 is configured toroute the exhaust gasses away from the engine 18 and into thesurrounding environment. The exhaust system 270 may additionally beconfigured to remove certain undesirable substances (e.g., carbonmonoxide, hydrocarbons, nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide, etc.) from theexhaust gasses and/or muffle sounds produced by the engine 18. Theexhaust system 270 may include conduits (e.g., pipes, hoses, etc.),mufflers, catalytic converters, filters, or other exhaust components. Atleast a portion of the exhaust system 270 extends directly between thecab 16 and the front wall 100.

In conventional refuse vehicles, a valve block that controls the flowsof hydraulic fluid is mounted vertically on the front wall of a bodyassembly. In such vehicles, a first end of the valve block is positioneddirectly above a second end of the valve block, and the valve blockextends forward of the front wall. Each conduit leaving the valve blockextends forward of the front wall, and the valve block and the tubes areexposed to the exhaust system. In certain circumstances, the valve blockand/or the tubes leak hydraulic fluid. In this conventional arrangement,the hydraulic fluid may spray onto the exhaust system, which can be veryhot during operation, causing the hydraulic fluid to react.

In the refuse vehicle 10 of the present disclosure, the valve block 150is oriented between horizontal and vertical. This facilitates moving thevalve block 150 rearward and beneath the ejector 130 without interferingwith the ejector 130. This also facilitates running the tubes 154 insideof the refuse compartment 120, which in turn facilitates placing thefront cover 220 in front of the valve block 150. The front cover 220 andthe front wall 100 extend directly between (i) the exhaust system 270and (ii) the valve block 150 and the tubes 154. Accordingly, the valveblock 150 and the tubes 154 are physically separated from the exhaustsystem 270. In the event that the valve block 150 and/or the tubes 154leak, the front cover 220 and the front wall 100 prevent the hydraulicfluid from reaching the exhaust system 270.

In other embodiments, the valve block is otherwise oriented. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 28, the valve block 150 is orientedsubstantially horizontally (e.g., the angle θ is equal to 0 degrees or180 degrees). In such an embodiment, the valve block 150 may (i) extendinto the refuse compartment 120 and the ejector cavity 138 and (ii) bepositioned directly below the ejector 130, similar to the valve block150 shown in FIG. 21. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 29, the valveblock 150 is oriented substantially vertically (e.g., the angle θ isequal to 90 degrees or 270 degrees). In such an embodiment, the valveblock 150 may (i) extends into refuse compartment 120 and the ejectorcavity 138 and (ii) be positioned directly below the ejector 130. Insuch an embodiment, the valve block 150 may be lowered relative to thevalve block 150 shown in FIG. 21 to prevent interference between thevalve block 150 and the ejector 130.

As utilized herein, the terms “approximately,” “about,” “substantially”,and similar terms are intended to have a broad meaning in harmony withthe common and accepted usage by those of ordinary skill in the art towhich the subject matter of this disclosure pertains. It should beunderstood by those of skill in the art who review this disclosure thatthese terms are intended to allow a description of certain featuresdescribed and claimed without restricting the scope of these features tothe precise numerical ranges provided. Accordingly, these terms shouldbe interpreted as indicating that insubstantial or inconsequentialmodifications or alterations of the subject matter described and claimedare considered to be within the scope of the disclosure as recited inthe appended claims.

It should be noted that the term “exemplary” and variations thereof, asused herein to describe various embodiments, are intended to indicatethat such embodiments are possible examples, representations, orillustrations of possible embodiments (and such terms are not intendedto connote that such embodiments are necessarily extraordinary orsuperlative examples).

The term “coupled” and variations thereof, as used herein, means thejoining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Suchjoining may be stationary (e.g., permanent or fixed) or moveable (e.g.,removable or releasable). Such joining may be achieved with the twomembers coupled directly to each other, with the two members coupled toeach other using a separate intervening member and any additionalintermediate members coupled with one another, or with the two memberscoupled to each other using an intervening member that is integrallyformed as a single unitary body with one of the two members. If“coupled” or variations thereof are modified by an additional term(e.g., directly coupled), the generic definition of “coupled” providedabove is modified by the plain language meaning of the additional term(e.g., “directly coupled” means the joining of two members without anyseparate intervening member), resulting in a narrower definition thanthe generic definition of “coupled” provided above. Such coupling may bemechanical, electrical, or fluidic.

References herein to the positions of elements (e.g., “top,” “bottom,”“above,” “below”) are merely used to describe the orientation of variouselements in the FIGURES. It should be noted that the orientation ofvarious elements may differ according to other exemplary embodiments,and that such variations are intended to be encompassed by the presentdisclosure.

The hardware and data processing components used to implement thevarious processes, operations, illustrative logics, logical blocks,modules and circuits described in connection with the embodimentsdisclosed herein may be implemented or performed with a general purposesingle- or multi-chip processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), anapplication specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmablegate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic device, discrete gate ortransistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combinationthereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A generalpurpose processor may be a microprocessor, or, any conventionalprocessor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processoralso may be implemented as a combination of computing devices, such as acombination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality ofmicroprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSPcore, or any other such configuration. In some embodiments, particularprocesses and methods may be performed by circuitry that is specific toa given function. The memory (e.g., memory, memory unit, storage device)may include one or more devices (e.g., RAM, ROM, Flash memory, hard diskstorage) for storing data and/or computer code for completing orfacilitating the various processes, layers and modules described in thepresent disclosure. The memory may be or include volatile memory ornon-volatile memory, and may include database components, object codecomponents, script components, or any other type of informationstructure for supporting the various activities and informationstructures described in the present disclosure. According to anexemplary embodiment, the memory is communicably connected to theprocessor via a processing circuit and includes computer code forexecuting (e.g., by the processing circuit or the processor) the one ormore processes described herein.

The present disclosure contemplates methods, systems and programproducts on any machine-readable media for accomplishing variousoperations. The embodiments of the present disclosure may be implementedusing existing computer processors, or by a special purpose computerprocessor for an appropriate system, incorporated for this or anotherpurpose, or by a hardwired system. Embodiments within the scope of thepresent disclosure include program products comprising machine-readablemedia for carrying or having machine-executable instructions or datastructures stored thereon. Such machine-readable media can be anyavailable media that can be accessed by a general purpose or specialpurpose computer or other machine with a processor. By way of example,such machine-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, orother optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magneticstorage devices, or any other medium which can be used to carry or storedesired program code in the form of machine-executable instructions ordata structures and which can be accessed by a general purpose orspecial purpose computer or other machine with a processor. Combinationsof the above are also included within the scope of machine-readablemedia. Machine-executable instructions include, for example,instructions and data which cause a general purpose computer, specialpurpose computer, or special purpose processing machines to perform acertain function or group of functions.

Although the figures and description may illustrate a specific order ofmethod steps, the order of such steps may differ from what is depictedand described, unless specified differently above. Also, two or moresteps may be performed concurrently or with partial concurrence, unlessspecified differently above. Such variation may depend, for example, onthe software and hardware systems chosen and on designer choice. Allsuch variations are within the scope of the disclosure. Likewise,software implementations of the described methods could be accomplishedwith standard programming techniques with rule-based logic and otherlogic to accomplish the various connection steps, processing steps,comparison steps, and decision steps.

It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of therefuse vehicle 10 and the valve block 150 as shown in the variousexemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Additionally, any elementdisclosed in one embodiment may be incorporated or utilized with anyother embodiment disclosed herein. Although only one example of anelement from one embodiment that can be incorporated or utilized inanother embodiment has been described above, it should be appreciatedthat other elements of the various embodiments may be incorporated orutilized with any of the other embodiments disclosed herein.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A vehicle comprising: a chassis; a cabcoupled to the chassis; a body coupled to the chassis rearward of thecab, the body defining a compartment, the body including a bottom walldefining a horizontal plane and a front wall defining a vertical plane;a bracket having an arm that is coupled to and extends rearward from thefront wall into the compartment at an angle such that the arm is neitherparallel with the horizontal plane nor parallel with the vertical plane;and a valve assembly coupled to the bracket such that at least a portionof the valve assembly is disposed within the compartment.
 2. The vehicleof claim 1, wherein the front wall defines an aperture through which thevalve assembly is accessible.
 3. The vehicle of claim 2, wherein aportion of the valve assembly extends through the aperture.
 4. Thevehicle of claim 2, further comprising a removable panel coupled to thefront wall, the removable panel positioned to selectively enclose atleast a portion of the aperture.
 5. The vehicle of claim 4, furthercomprising: an engine; and an exhaust system coupled to the engine andconfigured to receive exhaust gasses from the engine; wherein theremovable panel extends at least partially across the aperture tosubstantially isolate the valve assembly from the exhaust system.
 6. Thevehicle of claim 1, further comprising a conduit fluidly coupled to thevalve assembly, wherein at least a portion of the conduit extends behindthe front wall and within the compartment.
 7. The vehicle of claim 1,further comprising a packer positioned within the compartment, whereinthe packer is repositionable between a first position proximate thefront wall and a second position spaced from the front wall.
 8. Thevehicle of claim 7, wherein the packer has an engagement surface forengaging contents within the compartment, wherein the packer defines acavity positioned at least one of beneath or behind the engagementsurface, and wherein the bracket and the valve assembly at leastpartially extend into the cavity when the packer is in the firstposition.
 9. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the angle is a first angle,and wherein the bracket is structured such that the valve assembly isoriented at a second angle different than the first angle.
 10. Thevehicle of claim 1, further comprising: a lift assembly coupled to thebody, the lift assembly configured to engage a refuse container and liftthe refuse container to unload refuse into the compartment; an ejectorslidably coupled to the body and positioned within the compartment; afirst hydraulic actuator positioned to move the lift assembly between araised position and a lowered position; and a second hydraulic actuatorpositioned to move the ejector longitudinally between a retractedposition near the front wall and an extended position away from thefront wall; wherein: the valve assembly is fluidly coupled to at leastone of the first hydraulic actuator or the second hydraulic actuator;the valve assembly is configured to facilitate controlling extension andretraction of the at least one of the first hydraulic actuator or thesecond hydraulic actuator; the valve assembly has a first end and asecond end opposite the first end; and the first end of the valveassembly is offset longitudinally and vertically from the second end.11. The vehicle of claim 10, wherein the first end of the valve assemblyis (i) offset vertically above and (ii) offset longitudinally forward orlongitudinally rearward of the second end.
 12. The vehicle of claim 10,wherein the valve assembly extends longitudinally rearward of the frontwall, and wherein the second end of the valve assembly is positionedbelow a portion of the ejector when the ejector is in the retractedposition.
 13. A vehicle comprising: a chassis; a cab coupled to thechassis; a body coupled to the chassis rearward of the cab, the bodydefining a compartment, the body including a front wall positionedproximate the cab; a bracket that is directly coupled to the front walland extends rearward from the front wall into the compartment; a valveassembly coupled to the bracket such that at least a portion of thevalve assembly is disposed within the compartment, wherein the frontwall defines an aperture through which the valve assembly is accessible;and a removable panel coupled to the front wall, the removable panelpositioned to selectively enclose at least a portion of the aperture.14. The vehicle of claim 13, wherein a portion of the valve assemblyextends through the aperture.
 15. The vehicle of claim 13, furthercomprising a packer positioned within the compartment, wherein thepacker is repositionable between a first position proximate the frontwall and a second position spaced from the front wall, wherein thepacker has an engagement surface for engaging contents within thecompartment, wherein the packer defines a cavity positioned at least oneof beneath or behind the engagement surface, and wherein the bracket andthe valve assembly at least partially extend into the cavity when thepacker is in the first position.
 16. The vehicle of claim 13, whereinthe front wall defines a vertical plane, and wherein the valve assemblyis oriented at an angle relative to the vertical plane.
 17. The vehicleof claim 13, wherein the front wall defines a vertical plane, andwherein the valve assembly (i) is oriented horizontally and, therefore,perpendicular to the vertical plane or (ii) is oriented vertically and,therefore, parallel to the vertical plane.
 18. A body assembly for avehicle, the body assembly comprising: a body configured to couple to achassis rearward of a cab of the vehicle, the body defining acompartment, the body including a bottom wall defining a horizontalplane and a front wall defining a vertical plane; a bracket having anarm that is coupled to and extends rearward from the front wall into thecompartment at an angle such that the arm is neither parallel with thehorizontal plane nor parallel with the vertical plane; and a valveassembly coupled to the bracket such that at least a portion of thevalve assembly is disposed within the compartment.